the CanadaVisa Team - 21 May, 2007
Under the expanded Alberta Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), the province will now be making Canadian Permanent Residency nominations for individuals in manufacturing, transportation, food and beverage, and hospitality occupations. Alberta employers have been suffering from chronic labour shortages in these industries; the new PNP is designed to alleviate them.
The expansion of the Alberta PNP is tied to the new Canada-Alberta Cooperation on Immigration Agreement, which is focused on attracting and retaining a greater number of immigrants and foreign skilled workers. The goal is to simplify and speed-up the process of bringing newcomers to Canada.
Attorney David Cohen, of the Canadian immigration law firm Cohen Immigration Law explains that the wider range of eligible occupations for the Alberta PNP is an opportunity for those who may not have qualified for Canadian immigration under the Federal Skilled Worker category. "This opens the door to Canadian immigration for individuals who have the skills that are in demand in Alberta."
The expanded PNP also focuses on international student graduates who have received a degree, diploma, or graduate level credential from an approved Alberta educational institution.
To qualify for the Alberta Provincial Nominee Program, applicants must obtain an offer of permanent, full-time employment from and Alberta employer. "The opportunities for fast-tracking Canadian immigration are there," states Cohen, "but it's up to the individual to be proactive and get themselves that Alberta job offer."
